Rhino conservation was 'eye-opener' to inspire debut novel by Cookham writer

A regular volunteer columnist for the Advertiser hopes her debut novel will raise awareness about rhino conservation after years of supporting a charity ‘close to her heart’.

Vanessa Woolley released ‘Secrets at Sunset’ earlier this summer, a ‘gripping tale’ of romance between a journalist and an ex-soldier, uncovering a rhino poaching syndicate.

Inspired by her travels around southern Africa in 2019, Vanessa wrote her first draft during lockdown after she ‘didn’t see a single rhino’ in Botswana and visited an anti-poaching unit in South Africa.

“That was an eye-opener,” said the 60-year-old, who got involved with the charity Helping Rhinos when she returned home.

“I got to learn an awful lot – and from there I wanted to build a story. There are a lot of threads running through it, but ultimately, I wanted to highlight that rhino poaching hasn’t really gone away.”

Her book is set at the same game lodge she visited in South Africa, and explores themes of motherhood, love, and corruption.

“I’ve written quite a few books over the years that are in my bottom drawer,” said Vanessa, who was born in Zimbabwe, and lived in South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia before settling in the UK.

The Cookham Dean resident took several writing courses before feeling happy to ‘show the world’ her stories.

“I wanted to write relationship and character-driven stories with an eco-theme. The next one I’m working on is about plastic waste in the sea, but other things are going on in the book,” she said.

Vanessa said it’s ‘very exciting’ to see her book out in the world, and to hear good reviews from peers and online.

“They felt the actual setting was like a character of its own. Because I’ve been there so many times, I can write about the African bush, and I’m knowledgeable, weaving it into the story.

“It was my way of writing a story I wanted to write and setting it somewhere I could show the world what the rangers and police go through to catch poachers and raise awareness of the communities.”

Secrets at Sunset is a new addition to the contemporary women’s fiction genre and is available online and at local bookshops.